AI Bot Now Dominates 1v1 Dota 2

An AI bot demonstrated its Dota 2 abilities by defeating pro-gamer Dendi at the International Dota 2 Championship 2017. The exhibition match was set up to demonstrate the work done by the OpenAI group. It was also reminded humans that the computers are coming for all of us.

OpenAI is a research group working on advancing machine learning technology. Like the Google-back Deepmind, the group has no particular application for its AI in mind. However, the focus on video games is one way of teaching machines to mimic human behaviour and adapt accordingly. It should come as no surprise that OpenAI is backed by billionaire Elon Musk.

The match at TI7 was kept at a 1v1 match due to current limitations in its capabilities. The bot can perform complex maneuvers like animation cancelling and zoning, allowing it to duel a single opponent with some skill. Thus far it has not only played Dendi and won, but also gained victories against Suma1L and Arteezy.

Beating humans in 1v1 duels is only the start for the OpenAI bot. The team is hoping to build a tournament winning team by the next TI. This requires teaching multiple copies of the same bot to work with each other, something that is still relatively new to the world of machine learning.

Sadly, the OpenAI bot is currently only available in demonstration matches or for research testing. With any luck the group will release a version for public playtesting; so that the rest of us can find out what it’s to lose to our new robot overlords.

Update: We have also found out that OpenAI offered 50 Shadow Fiend Arcanas to anyone who could beat their bot. Several players found ways to confuse the bot and lure it away from the tower; allowing them to win. By the end of the night, all the Arcanas were won.

OpenAI is also offering the bot to professional teams as a possible training aid. No telling if there are any takers yet.